Journal of Navigation and Port Research (한국항해항만학회지)

Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research (한국항해항만학회)
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A Study on Accrual Earnings Management of Shipping Companies

해운사의 발생액 이익조정에 관한 연구

  • Hong, Soon-Wook (Division of Maritime Business and Economics, Korea Maritime and Ocean University)
  • 홍순욱 (한국해양대학교 해양경영경제학부)
  • Received : 2021.06.03
  • Accepted : 2021.06.14
  • Published : 2021.06.30
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Abstract

Although accounting is one of the core fields of corporate management, few studies have reported accounting phenomena involving shipping companies. In addition, although financial reporting is very important to shipping companies that use several financial tools such as ship finance and financial lease, it is difficult to identify studies investigating shipping companies' financial reporting, especially their earnings management. The purpose of this study is to analyze accrual earnings management behavior of shipping companies. Companies with high debt ratios and net losses are known to have incentives for earnings management. Due to the nature of the industry, shipping companies have a high debt ratio and often report net losses. Accordingly, shipping companies are expected to engage in substantial earnings management. Based on the analysis of KOSP I companies listed on the Korea Exchange from 2001 to 2020, it was found that shipping companies are engaged in higher levels of earnings management than non-shipping companies. Discretionary accrual was used as a proxy variable for earnings management. Discretionary accrual was measured using the modified Jones model of Dechow et al. (1995) and the performance matched model of Kothari et al.(2005). In this study, significant results were derived by comparatively analyzing the earnings management practices, which is one of the major accounting behaviors of shipping and non-shipping companies. Stakeholders such as external auditors, investors, financial institutions, analysts, and government authorities need to be aware of the earnings management behavior of listed shipping companies during their external audit, financial analysis, and supervision. Finally, listed shipping companies must conduct stricter accounting based on accounting principles.

회계는 기업 경영의 핵심 분야 중 하나임에도 해운사의 회계와 관련된 연구는 많이 이루어지지 않았다. 또한, 선박금융, 금융리스 등 금융을 많이 활용하는 해운사에 있어서 재무보고는 매우 중요함에도 불구하고 해운사의 재무보고, 특히 이익조정에 관한 연구는 찾아보기 어렵다. 본 논문의 목적은 해운사의 발생액 이익조정 행태를 분석하는 것이다. 부채비율이 높고, 당기순손실 기업은 이익조정의 유인이 있다고 알려져 있다. 해운사는 산업의 특성으로 인해 부채비율이 높고, 당기순손실을 보고하는 경우가 많다. 따라서 해운사는 이익조정을 많이 할 것으로 예상된다. 2001년부터 2020년까지 한국거래소에 상장된 KOSPI 기업을 대상으로 분석한 결과 해운사는 비 해운사에 비해 이익조정을 많이 하는 것으로 나타났다. 이익조정의 대리변수는 재량적발생액을 사용하였다. 재량적발생액은 Dechow et al.(1995)의 수정Jones모형과 Kothari et al.(2005)의 성과대응모형을 사용하여 측정하였다. 본 연구는 회계처리 행태 중 대표적인 이익조정에 관해 해운사와 비 해운사를 비교 분석함으로써 유의미한 결과를 도출하였다. 외부감사인, 투자자, 금융기관, 애널리스트, 정부당국 등 이해관계자는 상장 해운사의 외부감사, 재무분석, 감독 등에 있어 해운사의 이익조정 행태에 대해 인지할 필요성이 있다. 마지막으로, 상장 해운사는 회계원칙에 입각한 보다 엄정한 회계처리를 해야 할 것이다.

Keywords

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